Jerry L. "Jake" Boll, 85
Jake Boll, 85 of Bigfork, passed away after a short illness on Monday, April 8, 2024 at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell. He was the loving husband of Wendy G. Boll, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage.
Jake was born Gerald Lee Boll on June 19, 1938 in Manchester, Iowa and was the son of Leon and Pauline Boll. Raised on the family farm, he was the epitome of an Iowa farm boy and remained that way until his passing. His life was made up of hunting, fishing, firewood cutting, farm animals, family and socializing. Known as the families “Walmart Greeter,” he had many friends and acquaintances and was known to bring home a few strangers who quickly realized that whether they liked it or not, would become like family.
Most of his young life was spent in Iowa and shortly after his 19th birthday was married to the first love of his life, Elaine “Rosie” Fuller. With that union came two children, Becky in 1958 and Jeff in 1960. Making their home in Dundee, Iowa and then Manchester, Iowa. As possibly a Frontiersman born in the wrong century, Jake and family made their way to the wilds of Montana in 1972 and settled in Bigfork, mostly for the greater opportunity to hunt and fish. With his son Jeff as his partner, the two of them became inseparable when it came to the backwoods and it was a bond that endured for his entire life.
In 1977, Jake’s next endeavor took them to Barnum, Minnesota where Jake, Elaine and Jeff became full time dairy farmers. This life proved difficult for Elaine and due to her health they decided in 1979 to sell the farm and travel in their RV around the US. This did not last long as they returned to Montana where shortly thereafter, Elaine passed away suddenly, leaving Jake sad and lonely.
Not many people get to have a second love but Jake did. He met Wendy Foy in Kalispell later that year. With her two young boys, Jake and Wendy became a couple and wed in December 1980. Jake did what he did best and passed on his love for the outdoors to Jason and Lyle and became “Dad” to them. Later in life, Lyle honored his dad by changing his family name to Boll. Jake, Wendy and the boys spent their life camping, fishing, hunting and raising a variety of livestock from chickens to yaks. After the boys left home, Jake and Wendy continued to travel and camp all over Montana and the US visiting friends and family, complaining about the wind on each and every trip but still doing it over and over again. Jake worked primarily in the concrete business and for Lauren McClurg at Flathead Finishers. On the side he cut and sold firewood, did concrete side work, shaved hogs for Farm to Market Pork, and did whatever was necessary to work hard and support his family.
When stricken with Alzheimer’s, Jake took it in stride, literally and still managed to walk 2 miles a day regardless of weather amassing a total of 1150 miles for the year of his 82nd birthday. Until the last few years of his life, when taken for a backwoods ride, he would still tell you what tree or what animal he got at a specific location. It has been a long goodbye since then, with the help of many. The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Edgewood Memory Care and the many doctors and nurses that have helped Jake navigate this final chapter of his life. Just over a week before he passed, he was able to walk 6 laps around the courtyard with Becky. The birds went swooping by him and he was a little startled but loved it just the same.
He leaves his loving wife, Wendy Boll; his children, Becky (Stephen) DeSimone, Jeff (Danelle) Boll of Bigfork, and Lyle (Trish) Boll of Whitefish; grandchildren, Jennifer (Walt) Malin of Danvers, Massachusetts, Nicole Brooks of Danvers, Massachusetts, Hunter (Skye) Boll of Kalispell, Brock (Jill) Boll of Bigfork, Abby (Tyler) Hayward of Bigfork, Cora (Justin) Ramey of Kalispell, Slade Collier of Billings, Hannah, Brady and Kimber Boll all of Whitefish. He also leaves his sisters, Linda Toms and Karen Petlon of Manchester, Iowa; and brother, Ronnie (Janice) of Dundee, Iowa; 10 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Shirley Barrett; and all of the Barrett blended family, close friends of which there are many but especially Skip and Tammy Elmore, Doug and Barb Ahrendt, and that one specific “stranger,” BIG Steve Gentry and his wife, Kelli.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine; his parents, son, Jason Collier; siblings, Arvin (Maxine) Boll, Merwin (Edith) Boll, Bob (Betty) Boll, Leland Boll and Donald Boll; brothers-in-law, Darl Toms and Jerry Petlon; as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, the Fullers, Daubenbergers, Lehman, and Kampmans.
No funeral is planned but a celebration of life will be held in Jake’s honor from 1 - 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Swan River Community Hall, 115 Swan River Rd., Bigfork. A small service will be performed followed by food and beverages. In keeping with the spirit of Jake’s life feel free to wear plaid shirts and suspenders! In lieu of flowers please donate in Jake’s name to the “2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Flathead Valley, MT” http://act.alz.org/goto/Jakebollshuntforthecure or Montanalogjam.org. Montana Logjam PO Box 3193 Kalispell, MT 59903.
Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.